I've just started using La Roche Posay products after reading about them on MN, and after years of spotty skin, which is becoming increasingly lined, ageing and dehydrated as I get older (nice...), it's really helping. I'm using flannel cleansing method plus Effacler duo and a hydrating moisturiser on cheeks and neck. Just started the Ren glycolic mask too and my skin feels lovely afterwards.

Try Mother Natures Goodies, I get rosehip oil £4.99 and frankincense and rose cream around £4 a jar. Also Rose face gel about £3-4.Calendula cream gets good reviews too.They go a long way and are free from nasty chemicals, they are ethical too.They are an online small business but also sell through eBay. I can't be doing with expensive brands, they are no better.

I bought La Roche Posay moisturer last night (I have self-diagnosed acne rosecea but have Dr's appointment next week). We shall see... I'd love a miracle moisturiser that banished my spots, blackheads and open pores, let alone the red lumpiness I'm currently suffering either side of my nose.

I would second the rosehip oil suggestion. seems illogical to put oil on spotty skin but it really does work a treat! I use the OCM using Sweet Almond Oil then Rosehip oil, my skin has never looked better and more impressively it's super cheap! Have use Liz Earle, Origins etc in the past and would highly recommend this instead

I get spots and dry patches, but if I use anything harsh/anti-spot on them they get worse. I've been using Clarins facial treatment oil recently and I love it - the Lotus one. I use it at night and then a Simple moisturiser in the morning.

Neals Yard Remedies make excellent products and you can search their website via skin type.

I have dry but spotty (hormonal) skin that can also be greasy. I make sure I cleanse really well using Ren cleansing gel then use NYR moisturisers.

For oily skin the palmarosa range has a cleanser, moisturiser and face mask, it's very nice and not astringent, quite gentle. I find that if I cleanse properly I can use a moisturiser for normal skin, so the dry areas get enough moisture but it doesn't clog my pores.

i've run out of Liz Earle for the time being so am just using a bog standard cream cleanser from the 'Simple' range. Does the same job but doesn't quite have the same feel as Liz Earle cleanse and tone.

The hot flannel cleans and exfoliates at the same time.

I fell into the trap for years (mid -late twenties) of buying expensive wunderprodukts for my suddenly dry/spotty skin (after years of fantastic bombproof skin) and got nowhere - the people who make them have no interest in actually clearing your skin up if you have adult acne rather than normal teen acne.

The other thing I make sure I do now is try and have fresh pillowcases at least every few days and keep my hair off my face so i'm not constantly touching my face.

Its worth doing a bit of research into non-comedogenic make up and buying it where possible. I can get away with using normal blushers/ eye make up but not foundation and concealer.

anything non-comedogenic from Avene, Vichy or La Roche Posay - I am currently using Vichy Norma Derm Nuit at night and La Roche Posay Effaclar K in the morning. I like Liz Earle stuff for cleansing but never tried a moisturiser from the range.

Best thing you can do though for dry/spotty skin is bin anything other than a good cream cleaner (like liz earle) and stock up on cheap flannels. Give your face a thorough clean at night with a hot flannel after using a cream cleanser. Rinse the flanel out in cold water and press on your face to close pores. Then moisturise with a good non-comedogenic night moisturiser (all the ones I have suggested above are non-comedogenic)

Look at what make up you are using - foundations and concealers are the worst offenders for spotty/ dry skin and switch to non-comedogenic versions. The Body Shop do a good concealer and Vichy do a good foundation called Dermablend (but colours are limited)

I have spot free skin (other than the occasional normal hormonal spot) for the first time in 3 years after doing all of the above.

I like Liz Earle superskn although I am using a Dior sample which I like. But every evening I use the Liz earle superskin concentrate which has transformed my skin. I used to be prone to acne but it has all gone.

Avene Skin Recovery Cream. I have very sensitive, dry but acne-prone skin and this is the one moisturiser that has made my skin noticeably better rather than just preventing it from getting worse. It's also great under foundation.